19th September 2022 – Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) Asia Pacific has completed its first pilot paperless trade finance transaction using the TradeLens platform. Leveraging blockchain technology supplied by TradeLens, the pilot illustrates the effectiveness of the technology to improve supply chain efficiency by significantly reducing document processing lead times.
With the underlying Letter of Credit executed using an electronic Bill of Lading (eBL), Citi Bangladesh facilitated the import of agrochemical products from India to Bangladesh for Syngenta Bangladesh using an entirely paperless process. This process resulted in a 10-day reduction in document processing times
from around an expected 20 to 25 days. The transaction also led to a reduction of costs related to paperwork, postage, port demurrage and transport.
TradeLens is a multifunctional blockchain-based shipping platform jointly developed by IBM and GTD Solution Inc., a subsidiary of A.P.Moller-Maersk. The TradeLens eBL is a standard, industry-supported, end-to-end digital solution that provides shippers, cargo owners, freight-forwarders, banks and carriers with a streamlined and secure process for the issuance, transfer and surrender of original bills of lading.
Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions Head for Bangladesh, Md. Moinul Huq, said, “Trade has traditionally been reliant on paper-heavy documentation across multiple parties thus making transactions complex and riskier. Embracing innovative technologies and platforms are bringing substantial benefits to our clients and to Citi as their banking partner. We are delighted to have supported Syngenta Bangladesh in this pilot transaction and next-gen cross-border trade processing modality. On the back of this pilot, we will work towards the commercialization and expansion of our services in this area of digital trade.”
“Transferring bills of lading digitally brings immediate benefits to all the entities involved. Supply chain processes are complex and the ability to collaborate seamlessly with multiple partners is critical,” said Kim Spalding, CEO of TradeLens. “The continued integration of banks to the TradeLens platform is a valuable demonstration for the industry of the scalability of end-to-end blockchain and its impact on critical transactions.”
During the course of the shipment, all associated documentation was shared and validated among various parties via the TradeLens platform. Digitized documents included the electronic Bill of Lading issued directly from the carrier as well as the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Certificate of Origin.
The issued eBL was forwarded to the exporter, Syngenta Asia Pacific, on the TradeLens platform itself. The exporter, through its bank, then sent all the required documents electronically to Citi Bangladesh through the same platform. Both Citi and the exporter’s Bank worked collaboratively with TradeLens towards the successful closure of the transaction.
Kanika Thakur, Asia Pacific Trade Head, Treasury and Trade Solutions, Citi, said, “We are proud of this milestone transaction and our strong partnership with Syngenta across the region. With trade digitization continuing to gather pace, and as supply chain disruptions persist, clients are prioritizing efficiency and simplicity in trade execution. We will continue to make progress in our digitization efforts, leveraging industry platforms that can bring together multiple parties in a transparent manner, and making trade financing accessible through our own proprietary digital platforms.”
